In November, Schwarzkopf Professional started the new social initiative ‘Shaping Futures,’ which is a new worldwide charity initiative that sees Schwarzkopf Professional partnering with leading non-profit organisation SOS Children’s Villages and volunteer hairdressers, in order to introduce disadvantaged youth to the craft and livelihood potential of hairdressing.

Shaping Futures is started in two countries on the world’s poorest continents: Peru and India. In this first round 16 volunteers introduced more than 60 underprivileged young adults into the hairdressing profession, training them in basic hairdressing skills.

‘Shaping Futures’ is based on a partner country concept. This means that each village, in which the training takes place, is supported by a partner country from Schwarzkopf Professional, which is responsible for acquiring the necessary funds and providing volunteer hairdresser trainers: the Peruvian village Lima is supported by Spain, Cochin in India by United-Kingdom/India and the Indian village Jaipur by Germany/India.

During the initial 4 week training course, volunteer hairdressers trained the nominated participants in hairdressing basics such as proper comb and scissor handling, sectioning, blow dry, finish, hygiene, as well as standard cutting techniques such as bobs, layered styles and one length cuts. To further help these youngsters towards a brighter future, each trainee received a start-up Salon Tool bag including basic hairdressing equipment, a product start up package as well as a ‘shaping futures cutting & styling skills’ certificate.

“With our global network of hair professionals, our emphasis on training, and our pool of resources, we are in an ideal position to offer skills that can make a difference to the lives of aspiring hairdressers, whatever their backgrounds. This is only the beginning. More training waves are already planned for 2011,” says Simon Ellis, Director, Global Professional Partner Services by Schwarzkopf Professional.